Merry Christmas

This small Christmas tree quilt was made recently.  It's machine pieced and quilted.  Decorated with garlands of beads and small beads/ jingle bell ornaments.  It measures 10.75 in X 13.5 in.

Merry Christmas to you all

Two Small Quilts

This first one was made using a kit I bought from a local fabric/quilt store. I did the blanket stitch by hand around each fused fabric piece the sewed on the buttons/beads and added the binding.  It is approx 5 x 7 in in size.

This red bird was done using a pattern I found on the internet (unsure of source now).  The pieces were fused in place then machine appliqued.  I hand embroidered the small branches with greenery.  The birds eye is a small black bead. I hand quilted it before adding the binding.  It measures approx 5x7 in in size. 

Christmas Blooming Nine-Patch Quilt

I made this quilt using fabric I bought at an estate sale more than 10 years ago.  The pattern is blooming nine-patch which I've used before to make a few quilts.  I enjoy the way the colors shift with this pattern.  The quilt is machine pieced and quilted.  It measures 58.5 in x 67.5 in.

 

Here you can see the three fabrics a little better.

 

I used a brown thread in the bobbin so the quilting would show on the back.

 

Here’s the border quilting.

Other quilts using this pattern:

Rainbow Blooming Nine Patch

Blooming Nine Patch Child’s Quilt

Autumn Blooming 9-Patch Quilt

Christmas in July Postcards

Still on the fabric postcard bend.  I've been watching the Hallmark Channel Christmas in July movies which inspired me to do a couple of Christmas postcards. The fabric is from a Debbie Mumm series several years ago.  I simple cut out the rectangles of the Santas, machine quilted them, and then did the binding.  The one on the left with the green binding measures 4 3/4 in X 5 7/8 in.  The other one measures 4 3/8 in X 5 1/2 in.

Christmas Knitting

I’m blaming all the knitted gifts for Christmas this year on Dr Smak, @DrCris, and  @Geek2Nurse  who have encouraged my knitting.  The other reason is there are so many nieces and nephews who range from 6 months of age to 35 years of age. 

This small hat is for the 6 mo baby girl, Emmy. It was made using the pattern Koolhaas by Jared Flood.

This hat and fingerless gloves were given to my 14 yo niece who loves to text.  The hat is made using the pattern Mondo Cable Cap by Bonne Marie Burns and Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends yarn.  The gloves are made using the pattern Fishtail wristwarmers by Alexandra Brinck and Lion Brand Sock-Ease yarn.

 

I made three of these hats (different yarns) for three nieces all under the age of 5.  The pattern is Foliage by Emilee Mooney.

I made two of these hats, one red and one blue, for two brothers.  The pattern is Herdwick Dell Scarf and Hat by Lion Brand Yarn.  It is written to be done flat and seamed.  I did it in the round so I didn’t have a seam.

I made six of these hats in different colors and sizes for several nephews (ages 6 to 24).  It uses the pattern Cross Skull Cap by Kimberly Nicdao Reynolds.  I used  Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids & Heathers.

This hat was given to a young friend and a brown cross-skull cap to her brother.  This hat uses the pattern Odessa by Grumperina.

Merry Christmas to you all! 

Sample Quilt of Biblical Blocks

As with Bart and Amy’s quilt, I’m not sure I have all the names correct for the blocks used in this quilt for their son Dallas.  It was done in Christmas fabrics.  I finished it in November 1994 and gave it to him for Christmas that year.

The quilt is machine pieced and quilted.  It measures 63 in X 71 in.

Upper row from left to right:  Unsure, maybe King David’s Crown / Robbing Peter to Pay Paul (Arizona) / Christmas Star

Middle row:  David and Goliath (from The New Quilting & Patchwork Dictionary which is different from the link) / don’t know / don’t know

Bottom row:  ?Joseph’s Coat variation / Crown of Thorns  / Jacob’s Ladder

Here is the back which is pieced to use up left over Christmas fabrics.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Winking Santa

I recently finished this miniature Christmas quilt.  The Santa comes from a Christmas card from years past which I saved with the intention to someday use it in quilting.  The Santa is machine appliqued using mostly cotton fabrics, but I did use scraps of white ultra suede for the hat trim and black ultra suede for the eyelashes. 

I added glitter glue to the hat trim for a little “flash.”  The white on white fabric used for the bread helped keep it from looking too flat. 
The quilt is machine quilted.  It measures 11 in X 13.5 in.  I sewed a sleeve on the back for hanging.    

May You Be Warm This Christmas

Earlier this fall, I knitted my first pair of sock at the urging of Dr Smak, Dr Cris, and Geek2Nurse.  Those are my feet as I “modeled” them for a photo.

I gave them to my stepmother-in-law for her birthday.  She and my father-in-law were so impressed with them, they both began hinting that he needed a pair as his feet get cold.   He’s getting this pair for Christmas, modeled here by his son/my husband who now wants a pair.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with warm feet, warm wishes, and warm hearts!

Christmas Tree Skirt

Updated 3/2017-- all links (except to my own posts) removed as many no longer active. and it was easier than checking each one.

I made this Christmas Tree Skirt back in the mid 1990’s, but have used it only once. After I invited the dogs into my life, Christmas trees have pretty much gone out. Their tails are not tree friendly. So I decorate with Poinsettias, wreaths, etc.

The skirt is features red, green, and yellow 8-point stars on a black background. The star blocks are 16 in square. It is machine pieced and quilted. It closes with snaps. The skirt is 30 in from center to outer point.

I’ll be adding this post to SewCalGal’s Virtual Christmas Quilt Show.  I hope you will check it out as I am sure there will be many lovely quilts.

Here is a close shot of one of the star blocks.

Happy Christmas

Updated 3/2017-- photo/video and all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

YouTube - Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

Happy Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Tree Skirt

Here are some pictures (I finally found) of a Christmas tree skirt I made for a friend and his family. Vern McConnell, MD died in 1995. I told his wife, Jane, that I would be happy to make a quilt from his bow ties and shirts. Two years later she was ready and mailed me a large box of some of his clothing and ties. This is one of the items I made the family. The snowmen are from a terry cloth shirt (tennis shirt I think). Their scarfs are from the shirts and ties. The presents under the trees are from the labels on the ties and shirts. Some great labels! The buttons are from the clothing. The background fabric is a deep blue velvet that I had from making a dress.

The trees are just some green cotton fabric I had in my "stash".

The hats are both from his clothing and my fabric stash.

I made a several wagons using a label and buttons.

The "globe" was a label I turned into a ball.

Spiced Nuts Trail Mix

Updated 3/2017-- photos and all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.


I love spiced nuts and usually make some every Christmas season. Spiced nuts make easy gifts for the delivery guys (Fed Ex, UPS, US Postal person) at the office, not to mention I have several family members who like them. This year I did them a little different. After spicing the nuts, I added some Chex Mix (chocolate peanut butter), and dried cranberries. It's really good and so easy! Here's the recipe:

Spiced Coated Nuts
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
1.5 tsp ground cumin
1.5 tsp black pepper
1.5 tsp ground red pepper (I left this out)
1 can (34 oz) Mixed Nuts

PREHEAT oven to 325°F. Beat egg whites in medium bowl with wire whisk until foamy. Add sugar and seasonings; beat until well blended. Add nuts; stir until evenly coated.

SPREAD into two lightly greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan (half on each).

BAKE 20 min., stirring occasionally. Cool completely. Store in airtight container at room temperature or use in the below recipe.

Now this is where I started added things:

Spiced Nuts Trail Mix

1 cooled pan of spiced nuts
1 cup dried cranberries
1 12 oz pkg of Choc- Peanut Butter Chex Mix
1 cup of Sam's Choice Nature Trail Mix

Store in airtight container at room temperature or in refrigerator. Enjoy and share!

SurgeXperiences 111--call for submissions

Updated 3/2017-- photos and all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

The next edition of SurgeXperiences will be hosted by Buckeye Surgeon on December 23. Please feel free to submit a post (or two) regarding your experience with surgery here. The deadline for submission is December 21st.

The 10th edition of SurgeXperiences has been posted by Dr. Alice over at “Cut on the dotted line”. If you missed it, head on over and check it out.

And since it's the Christmas baking season, in honor of Buckeye, here's a recipe for Buckeye Candy. Enjoy!

Buckeye Candy
Yields - 72 candies (6 dozen total)
The perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate -- a "chocolate lover's" dream come true....
Ingredients:

• 2 cups creamy peanut butter, (not all-natural)
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 3 3/4 cups (16-oz. box) powdered sugar
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Directions:
LINE baking sheets with wax paper.
BEAT peanut butter and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in powdered sugar until mixture holds together and is moistened. Shape into 1-inch balls; place on prepared baking sheets. Freeze for 1 hour.
MELT morsels and shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted.
DIP peanut butter centers into melted chocolate using a toothpick, leaving a small portion of the center uncovered. Shake off excess chocolate and scrape bottom of candy on side of bowl. Return to baking sheets; refrigerate until chocolate is set. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

Christmas Stockings

Here are three Christmas stockings. The front of the stocking is pieced and then quilted prior to being cut and sewn into a stocking. All are fully lined. The first one is a simple four-patch pattern using four fabrics for the "patches".

This one uses two fabrics sewn together into strips. The "cuff" at the top is large

I think it would be nice to have a name embroideried onto it.

This one is a "bow-tie" pattern using two fabrics.

Ready for Christmas

This is the last Christmas tree quilt I made. It is a miniature which I call "Ready for Christmas". It is 15" X 18" in size. The bows are the tree are metallic buttons sewn on and the white ornaments are beads. The stockings are "hanging freely" stitched only at the hooks.

The dog has his bone (a novelty button).

The doll and bear are waiting to be loved.

A Christmas Tree Quilt

This small wall hanging quilt, 31.5" X 31.5", I simply called "A Christmas Tree". It is mostly machine pieced with appliqued flames for the candles. It is machine quilted using the "in-the-ditch" method. I then attached by safety pins (through the back) minature ornaments. The stockings are freely detachable (pinned on by their loops). One has a minature golf club in it (I don't play) and the other a candy cane. It was made in 1991.

The ornament at the "heart" of the tree was initially a minature nativity scene, but it disappeared the first year it hang in my office. I replaced it with this heart ornament that opens and shows the family.

Preparing for Christmas

#1 Dino over at Musings of a Dinosaur has been showing off his beautiful Menorahs! So I thought I would show you a few of my Christmas quilts. This one is called "Preparing for Christmas". The log cabin pattern has the colors arranged to form the tree. I left the tree undecorated on purpose. I had Peg (of Peg's Quality Quilting in Iowa) quilt the wall hanging, 47" X 57", by "writing" in gold metalic thread the Christmas story from the Bible (Luke Chapter 2).

In these "detail" shots you can see the "writing".